Today's Paper
» NATIONAL
» TAMIL NADU

Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga go without representation

The non-inclusion of representatives from Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts in the newly formed State cabinet has disappointed the people .

Voters of the two districts voted overwhelmingly in favour of the AIADMK-led front by electing six candidates out of eight nominees put up by it. The AIADMK has got four seats, two each from Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts.

Out of two successful candidates of AIADMK in Ramanathapuram district, M. Murugan from Mudukulathur is a novice to the electoral arena, another person S. Sundararaj of Paramakudi is an experienced candidate and a loyalist of the AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa since a faction of the party was headed by her after the death of AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran. This is a third term for Sundararaj.

People expected that he or the first timer would be included in the cabinet. The district was not represented in the previous regime of AIADMK for a brief period.

Similarly, the party has two MLAs from Manamadurai and Karaikudi. M. Gunasekaran of Manamadurai has been elected to the State assembly for the second consecutive term. Cholan Palanichamy is a first timer.

Following the defeat of R.S. Rajakannappan, who was widely accepted as a Ministerial material if he was elected, voters of Sivaganga thought that either Gunasekaran or Palanichamy would be accommodated in the cabinet. The people are of the view that it would be an impediment to the development of Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram, which are still being referred to as most backward districts.

“It is a major problem the Ramanathapuram district. It has never got a powerful leader or Minister, who can influence decision makers in the recent past. Minister is a best tool to carry popular demands of the people to the Chief Minister or top ranking officials, as he or she can meet them easily and convey of their demands.

Minister less district is not good for the development of the district,” says a voter of Ramanathapuram.

“The reality is that if there is no minister representing a district, the people have no other option except to approach officials for airing their grievances; they in turn carry our demands to the government. It will definitely delay the proceedings as they will go as per the official system,” he added.

The popular demand of the people is that at least one person should be given representation in the cabinet.